The Foos Coding 5+ | Make games! Kids learn programming logic. Free

Teacher Overview

The Foos: Code for an Hour is a kid-friendly app includes several increasingly challenging drag-and-drop coding puzzles that introduce kids to learn about computer programming. Kids will learn to use creativity and problem-solving skills, as well as valuable coding bconcepts such as sequencing, commands and parameters, loops, and conditional statements. It is a story-based game and features a diverse set of cartoon characters which kids can drag and drop picture blocks. Each level gets increasingly challenging to keep kids engaged.

Safeguarding

Screenshots

Developer Description

We’ve teamed up with Princeton and Harvey Mudd University professors to turn programming into play. Kids learn to code via a series of exciting adventures. Our word-free interface allows anyone, anywhere to play. They’ll track down a sneaky donut thief, rescue puppies lost in space and serve up gourmet meals while mastering core computer science concepts.

The Foos: Over 40 puzzle levels and 3 unique creative play areas for storytelling and animation.

Our creative space Foo Studio allows kids to put programming concepts to work by making video games and programming interactive stories. Creations can then be shared with a global community of Foo coders.

To be successful, kids must:

determine the actions needed to solve each Foo’s problem

order actions in a logical sequence

recognise patterns

use those patterns to make their code more efficient

test solutions

learn from tests and try revised solutions

The Foos is an introduction for those who have no experience programming and is all-ages friendly! That means anyone from 5 to 105 can play, have fun and learn real programming logic.

The Foos was originally created for The 'Hour of Code', a global initiative from Code.org [code.org] and Computer Science Education Week [csedweek.org] to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.

Parents and teachers are using The Foos first when introducing their kids and students to programming and computer science. Parents can follow codeSpark on Facebook for unplugged coding activities.

Is The Foos curriculum standards based?
YES! The Foos gameplay is based on curriculum from MIT and Exploring Computer Science at UCLA. Core concepts include: Pattern recognition, problem solving, sequencing, spatial visualization, algorithmic thinking, debugging, loops and conditionals. Kids also become more persistent and creative in their pursuit of solutions.

Who are The Foos?
The Foos are funny, happy creatures that inspire kids to create and collaborate through programming. Coding with The Foos requires visual, intuitive and imaginative input that builds critical computational thinking skills for future success.

The Foos app is inspired by visual programming languages such as Scratch from MIT, Alice from CMU and other ‘beginner’ programming languages like Logo, SmallTalk, and Squeak.

What is codeSpark?
codeSpark is delivering computer science education to kids in over 150 countries by turning programming into play. The company was founded when our CEO wanted to introduce his daughters to coding and couldn’t find any resources that were girl-friendly ways to learn the ABC's of computer science.